The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-14

outcome, the proposition to grant the |
heather another probation involves
an extension of the same grace for
several other classes of mankind. |
" If, therefore," says he, any one
"holds that the apparent equities of
"their case give credibility to larger
"hope for the heather beyond the
grave, the same logic must place the
larger number of nominal Christians
son the same ground" This is very
sensible conclusion and one which can
not be avoided when the strict logic of
the position is considered. DR.. Whit
on is entitled to credit not only for rec
ognizing the fact, but for making such
clear avowal in the premises. He is
also entitled to credit for the straight
forward manner in which he gives
name and style to this logical outcome
of the Andover hypothesis:
"But this, whatever limitations be at
tached to it, is Restorationism, such as
was taught in the early theological
schools of Alexandria and Antioch, before
Augustine and his successors turned the
current of orthodoxy the other way. The
outcry raised against the Andover hypo-
thesis by all the denominational journals
proceeds from an intuitive perception
that this is the logical issue of it,"
X X
Further development of the Restora-
tionism which is logically involved in the
Andover hypothesis will probably be
somewhat retarded by the theological
antipathy which is due to the presence
and the polemic attitude of the organized
body OF Universalists. In England, where
there Is no such body, the development
OF such Restorationism as prevailed in
the first three centuries of Christian the
ology has been both rapid and wide, and
this with no observable detriment either
| to Christian life or Christian missions.
Here, the substitution of sectarian
epitbet for argument will for time exer-
else certain terrorism over the DISPOSE
ton to candid inquiry, and the instincts
OF sectarlan controversy will correspond
ingly retard the growth of intelligent
conviction. But one cannot greatly
doubt, when viewing the Andover ques-
ton in its historical connections, that it
will tend to hasten the growth of the
conviction that deeper than any root Of
evil reaches the root Of good, and to
hasten the decay of the belief that there
must be devil as long rs there is God"
The closing paragraph, which we
give above, from this notable article,
is worthy of serious attention. 1t is
in plain words, charge that orthodoxy
will hesitate to adopt just conclusions
regarding the issues of the Divine gov
eminent over the heather and nom
Christian classes at home, on account
of antipathy to the Uniyersalist denom-
ination, which has, for over hundred
years in this country, advocated sub
stantially these opinions. If such an
unworthy feeling as the is in the way
of settlement of the question among
our orthodox friends, we here and now
counsel them to dismiss at once such
unworthy prejudices and decide their
position without reference to either
their prejudices or their fears. Such
questions as those which underlie the
Andover business are too important to
be Influenced one way or the other by Sec
tartan animosities. DR.. Wilton points
out that misunderstanding might have
said Universalism-was the accepted
teachings Of the early Christian church;
and also that in England the develop
ment of the doctrine has been rapid
and wide, with no observable detriment
to Christian life and Missions We
trust that such statements of fact will
have the result to infuse courage
into the Congregationalists and enable
them to arrive at conclusions without
being overshadowed by Mr.. Joseph
Cooks argument of ''incipient Univer-
salism. That is simply an appeal to
theological terrorism" which is I'M
worthy of consideration among enlight-
ened and truth-loving Christians. The
question is, WHAT is TRUTH, and what
does humanity, reason and the Script
ures teach in the premises? Let pro-
gressive and non-progressive orthodoxy
address itself to the discussion of the
subject on these broad grounds, and not
retard the progress of candid enquiry,
or the development of intelligent con-
viction, by considerations arising from
sectarian narrowness and bigotry. We
trust that DR.. Whiton's article will
bear fruit, and that the fear of assum-
ing Universalist conclusions in the con-
troyersy will pass away and orthodoxy
decide the question of future probation
on the higher grounds we have specified,
and without any further fear of either
sRestorationism' or "Universalism. ("
THE PLACE TO BEGIN.